Saturday, May 14, 2011

The Message of Mt. St. Helens

“God’s Gift to the Creationist”
On Sunday, May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens erupted, sending clouds of ash high into the sky and mudflows through the Toutle River valley. A 5.1 earthquake initiated the greatest recorded landslide in history that released underground tension that had been building for days. Prior to the earthquake, the northernmost slope of the mountain had been bulging at the rate of 5 feet per day. Though many warnings existed beforehand, 57 people lost their lives in this catastrophe. The most famous of these, Harry Truman, became somewhat of a celebrity as he refused numerous requests to leave “his” mountain. The most notable result of the eruption that gave Mt. St. Helens the status of “God’s Gift to the Creationist” is the canyon system that was carved through solid rock in a matter of hours. Modern science so often is associated with “evolution,” a belief about the evidence that asserts “millions of years” of time. Those who hold to this belief often use canyons as illustrations of the idea that rivers which flow through those canyons gradually carved them over long periods of time. However, such long ages of time cannot be tested or observed scientifically. What we do see today are rivers flowing through canyons, but does this mean that the canyons are there because of the rivers? What if the rivers exist because of the canyons? In other words, could canyons have been formed by massive catastrophes (such as mudflows from a volcano), and water flows through them afterwards? So often, “evolutionary science” promotes only one view to the exclusion of other, more scientific views about the same evidence!

Why Do Men Believe “Millions of Years” in Spite of Science?
It is a fact that canyons exist worldwide. Grand Canyon is the largest and most famous canyon in the world. Is it truly scientific to assert that these land formations formed over “millions of years”? No. No one observed it or tested it, and the time frame is a belief that cannot be confirmed by true science. Canyons and other formations found worldwide are consistent with a Biblical worldview, a view that includes the Biblical account of a global Flood, a man named Noah, and the ark of safety. Why, then, do men continue to believe in long ages of time despite the evidence?

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth (i.e. “hold back, suppress”) in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18)

The Bible, God’s Word, records a worldwide Flood sent by God as judgment for the wickedness of mankind. Canyons, fossils, and more are consistent with this event. However, men “hold” (or, suppress) the truth of God’s Word “in unrighteousness.” In other words, because of “unrighteousness” (sin, bad things), men do not want to submit to a Creator and they seek to hide His truth. One of the biggest lies men use to suppress the truth of God’s Word is the idea that “millions of years” of time is represented by canyons and rock layers. However, “millions of years” is a belief about the evidence that goes directly against the history of the Bible. Mt. St. Helens is a modern-day example that gives us a small glimpse of what took place at the time of the Flood.

Are You Like Harry?
Harry Truman (not the American President by the same name) did not listen to the warnings to leave the mountain. To his own peril, he thought that the mountain would not harm him. Yet, he perished under nearly 300 feet of sediment that was a result of the initial earthquake. No matter what he believed, he still suffered the consequences. Could it be that many who will not believe the Bible might still, like Harry, suffer the consequences? The same God who sent the Flood of watery judgment tells of a fiery judgment to come (Luke 17:26-32; 2 Peter 2-3). Judgment is coming, but there is a way out! The Bible tells us that men have sinned against their Creator (Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned…”). The bad news is that our sin must be judged in an eternal place of fire. Not only did Jesus preach about the Flood, but He also spoke of the literal fiery judgment of a place called “hell” (Luke 16). Though all men deserve this eternal punishment of fire, there is a simple way out: Belief! We must simply believe with all of our heart that Jesus, the Creator, came to earth to die on the cross in payment for the sins of all people. If we believe, the natural result is to receive God’s gift of salvation through a prayer (“call”) of faith. His Word says:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power (i.e. “right, privilege”) to become the sons of God, even to them that call on His name.” (John 1:12)

Don’t be like Harry Truman who refused to heed the warnings, for there is a much greater fire that awaits all who refuse to heed the warnings from God to turn from sin to the Savior. Not believing the Bible does not void the fact of this future judgment. The same God Who brought the Flood created hell, but He also made a way of escape through His Son. For more information, please email us from our website.

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About Me

Heather and I serve as "missionaries to young people" mainly in churches using God's creation. Since 1996, we've been learning how God's design for the physical realm is critical to a proper understanding of the spiritual realm. EVERYONE must realize that each issue of life MUST begin with an understanding that God exists (as Creator) and that He has an AWESOME design for life. We are extremely blessed to learn more of this design through His creation, and to share these truths with others in a variety of ways, from VBS, Ebay, to city fairs...and more!